You Asked: 'How Do I Find My One Rep Max?'

Your One Rep Max is the highest possible weight you can lift for exactly one repetition. You can use the One Rep Max as a benchmark to measure strength gains over time. However, keep in mind that this metric is typically used on very specific, more advanced lifts like bench press and back squat, so you wouldn't use this metric on, say, a bicep curl or a calf raise.

Some advanced athletes find their 1 RM by progressively bumping up their resistance until they fail the lift on the second repetition of a set. However, this method is risky and should be done with additional supervision. So how does a beginning lifter determine his or her One Rep Max?

As a beginner, the safest way to determine your 1 RM is to find your predicted1 RM. The predicted 1 RM is a much safer option that lets you lift a lighter weight (something you can lift for up to 10 repetitions), then multiplies the weight you lifted by the coefficient (from the chart below) associated with the number of reps you completed.

Example: Say you can consistently bench press 100 pounds and fail at 8 reps. Find the coefficent (from the chest press column) that corresponds with 8 reps above. In this example, that is 1.29. Multiply that coeffient by the amount of weight you lifted:

1 RM = 100 pounds x 1.255 = 125.5 pounds

This tells you that your predicted 1 RM for bench press is 125.5 pounds. This means that 125.5 pounds is the estimated maximum amount of weight you could lift for exactly one repetition. Fitness professionals recommend that you try to lift at 60-70% of your 1 RM for up to 15 reps per set in order to build strength. (As you become stronger and are able to lift more than 15 reps at that weight, you can increase the amount of weight you lift.) However, remember that the 1 RM test is not the only way to find a good starting point for lifting. Using trial and error to find a weight that fatigues your muscles after 8-15 repetitions can be just as effective.

Comments

The 1RM is used for advanced protocols, especially when increasing your PR is important. The better way is to use a "training max": the maximum amount of weight you can lift explosively for 3-5 reps. However, only pushing exercises are best done explosively: bench, squat, overhead press, and deadlift (yes, you need to explode to deadlift heavy). To find your TM, you start low (like with an empty bar) and work up, always exploding up. When you can't explode up, or when you start slowing down, you've reached reached your TM. Your TM changes often, depending on how you feel, so you can adjust your workout accordingly. Say, instead of 3 sets at your TM, do 1 set. Report

Somehow, this doesn't seem detailed enough for serious lifters or informative enough for beginners. I feel like I've missed a reel. Acefitness or even Muscle & Fitness have clearer explanations. Spark is usually so good at explaining fitness info!
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"You wouldn't use this metric on, say, a bicep curl or a calf raise." Well, what DO you use for bicep curls or calf raises? Trial and error? A different metric? Most people, especially beginner weight lifters, would read this article to figure out what to do for that type of exercise and this information is not useful in that context.
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Yes! I lift what I can repeat for 12 reps and yet feel the work involved, and I do 15 reps. Of course over time, that weight lacks the feeling of effort as I exerted before, so I up the weight by 5 lbs or so. This article was a bit much for this average person.
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